Tag Archives: Charleston

Charleston and the Origin of Memorial Day

On Monday, we as a nation took the time to remember those who have served, who are currently serving, and who have given their lives in the defense of the United States of America and the values she stands for. We always appreciate what our men and women in uniform do and have done, but on Memorial Day, we take an extra step back to look at just how much our armed services have done to protect us and our way of life – and just how much it has cost them too. However, not many people think about how Memorial Day began, which is quite an amazing tale in itself.

On Memorial Day, the New York Post ran an in-depth article detailing the origins of Memorial Day. In this fascinating read, we learn that the first Memorial Day occurred right here in Charleston in 1865 during the Civil War. Freed slaves and abolitionists gathered in Charleston, now largely deserted by most whites after Union bombardment, to pay respect to the Union soldiers that had given their lives so that slaves may be free.

The first Memorial Day ceremonies took place at the city’s Washington Race Course and Jockey Club, which had been converted into a Confederate prison of harsh conditions, until it was abandoned as the Union army approached the city. A large group of black women descended upon this once cruel location, and proceeded to give proper reburial to the Union soldiers who had perished there. Once the site was prepared, a parade of 10,000 black schoolchildren, freed slaves, and white missionaries and teachers was held on the grounds. Once the parade was over, people “enjoyed picnics, listened to speeches and watched soldiers drill” – much like how many of us celebrate Memorial Day today.

In only a few short years from this event, the concept of Memorial Day had spread throughout the nation, becoming an event to pay respect to all who had fallen in the Civil War. Eventually, Memorial Day grew to encompass a day to reflect and appreciate all armed service men and women across our history, and to pay them the respect they so richly deserve.

The New York Times has another fabulous article regarding the origins of Memorial Day in Charleston. We invite you to shop the AbundaTrade.com online store for movies and books about our great military patriots, and hopefully gain some more insight into just how much our nation’s bravest have done to make our country safe and free.

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition this weekend in Charleston

Spring feels as if it has almost sprung with highs reaching into the 70s over the last two days here in Charleston, SC. The great weather could not have come at a better time as this weekend, February 18th-20th, Charleston is hosting the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition 2011.

What is the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition? An annual event now in its 29th year, the Southeastern Wildlife Expo is the largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation. “Its goal was, and is, to produce an event which contributes significantly to the economy while promoting the conservation and preservation of nature and wildlife through its educational outreach programs and its focus on the visual arts.”

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition 2011 will host nearly 300 exhibitors this year. The 3-day event offers all kinds of events and exhibits. From cooking demos to art lectures, retriever demonstrations, birds of prey presentations and the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary show there is something for everyone. Held at 17 locations throughout downtown Charleston and with sunny skies and temperatures forecast to be in the sixties this weekend, it will be a fun event for all.

Want to go? Tickets start at $10 for an Advance General Admission ticket for Sunday and go up from there. Special Event and VIP Program tickets are also available. Hope to see you there!

“Zee Hat” performed by Theatre Marvelosa this weekend in Charleston

Take talented performers from around the globe, music, elaborate costumes and makeup, combine them with fun worldly things such as bon bons, petticoats, and champagne, mix in the emotions of power, greed, love and envy and you have “Zee Hat.” Written by Willie Jones, founder of La Troupe Marvelosa and good friend of AbundaTrade’s co-owners, Clayton and Kent. Theatre Marvelosa’s cafe-operetta “Zee Hat” is sure to be an exciting and at times, interactive experience for all those in attendance.

Theatre Marvelosa is a troupe of talented performers from all over the world who will be performing multiple shows this weekend of their cafe-operetta “Zee Hat.” Whether performing in New York City or here in Charleston, the utterly creative founder, Willi Jones has said, “Theatre Marvelosa is an expression of art for the sake of art.”

The show will be held downtown in Charleston, SC at La Fourchette, a classic French Bistro located at 432 King Street. Purchase tickets for $20 each in advance by visiting Theatre Marvelosa’s website or you may purchase them at the door for $25 each. Show times are Friday and Saturday, November 19th and 20th at 11:00 p.m. and two shows on Sunday, November 21st at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Many of AbundaTrade’s team members have been known to participate in Theatre Marvelosa’s past performances. However, this Friday, November 19th, the AbundaTrade team members will instead be sitting in the audience, celebrating a job well done on an abundance of synergistic in-house updates we’ve made recently. Thank you to Kent and Clayton for treating us to a fun night out together!

Come on down to La Fourchette on King Street and experience Theatre Marvelosa’s “Zee Hat.” It will be the highlight of your weekend!

Experience Charleston’s Private Homes and Gardens

Having only lived in Charleston for about a year now, I am still amazed by the beauty of the homes and gardens when walking around historic downtown Charleston. Founded back in 1670, Charleston is such a wonderful blend of old cobblestone streets, gas lanterns, wrap-around porches and iron gates. And that’s just the homes! Add to it hidden gems in the form of courtyard gardens filled with fragrant Magnolia trees with their enormous white flowers, tropical hibiscus trees and shrubs in a variety of colors, ever-blooming azaleas and, of course, Palmetto palm trees, just to name a few.

The Preservation Society of Charleston will be hosting it’s 34th Annual Fall Tours of Houses and Gardens from September 23rd through October 24th. You will have the opportunity to tour many of downtown Charleston’s private homes and gardens, churches and public buildings, too. With tours being offered afternoons, evenings and weekends, it will be easy to find time to experience Charleston’s beautiful architectural styles, historical influences and tranquil gardens. To find the specific date and time for homes and gardens you would like to tour visit www.preservationsociety.org.

Tickets for the 2010 Fall Tours of Houses and Gardens are just $45 per person per tour, or you may purchase a special 3-day weekend pass for $120 per person. (Includes Thursday, Friday, Saturday OR Friday, Saturday, Sunday tours of the same weekend ONLY.) This is the Preservation Society’s “foremost fundraiser” as well as a chance to learn more about the place we all love to call home.

Want to learn even more about Charleston’s architecture after the tour? Maybe you want to create a Charleston-inspired garden in your own space. Or maybe you’d just like to have a coffee table book showcasing historical downtown. You will find books on these and other Charleston topics atwww.abundatrade.com!